Conversations with Bart Bryars

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bart Bryars

Bart, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 1985, I was busted trafficking cocaine while in the US Coast Guard in Michigan. After posting a $75K bond, I faked my death as an ice-fishing “accident” three days before my scheduled trial. I then went on the lam and was re-apprehended four months later in backwoods Louisiana, my home turf, and subsequently spent seven years in prison.

I carried around those wild stories for years until I finally wrote them down in my 2022 memoir, The Rabbit In Me. Basically rudderless beforehand, it was in prison that I discovered a path that I hadn’t planned on, to be a musician for the rest of my life. I survived those years behind the wall by being the music man.

After release, within two years I had a band and have had one ever since. I’m currently writing and producing my ninth album, the last eight of them with my beautiful, talented, and hilarious wife (Jen) of 28 years on the vocals. Along with publishing my memoir in 2022, I also simultaneously released our Nashville band’s album (The Feels) and a solo EP, Country Clubbing, my 7th and 8th records.

I did some press in my hometown, Mobile, AL, and my current town, Nashville. There were newspaper and magazine articles, tv interviews, and book signings. All that can be found at www.bartbryars.com, along with music and videos from our various bands throughout the years, musicals from our decade in NYC, and a children’s book I illustrated for my mother from behind the penitentiary wall.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Aside from spending seven years in prison and losing everything when a hurricane sank my houseboat, my life has been pretty smooth. At least, ever since I started putting together bands and making music and albums. It also led me to my wife, Jen, who has made me a happy man for nearly 30 years.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well, I’ve already covered what sets my story apart from others. But, in the last year and a half there have been some ongoing developments. Here’s an update on what has been going on.

In the fall of 2023, some Notre Dame film students selected me as the subject of a documentary short they were making. They followed my wife and I around for a few days and a couple of months later they completed the film. It was screened at several film festivals, and won Best Student Film at the Tennessee International Indie Film Festival. See documentary short film link below:

Meanwhile, I had joined up with author Julie Rogers to adapt my memoir into a screenplay for a film. After writing and shopping it for a year, we have recently signed an executive producer deal with Buffalo 8, an LA film and media company. They are currently assembling a full package to shop, guide, finance, and push the project through. See announcement photo below:

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Find something you like to do that brings you joy, and just do it. Never quit. I’ll soon be 64 years old, and even though I’ve never had major commercial success, I’m still writing and producing music. Currently working on my ninth one. Never quit doing what brings you happiness. Because in the end, your own happiness is the key to a successful life.

I have lived my life as a musician. Some years fairly lucrative, some not so much. But all very happily. I do not believe I would have been this happy with my life if I had not been a musician. And I also do not believe I would have been a musician if I had not gone to prison. Lemons into lemonade. Turning a negative into a positive. Every dark cloud has a silver lining. All the things.

Pricing:

• The Rabbit In Me (Memoir) Amazon – Paperback 17.99 Hardcover 21.99 Kindle 5.99
• Tales Of Ittybittyville Amazon – Paperback 14.99 Hardcover 32.12
• THE FEELS-There’s Somebody In There – Free on Spotify, etc…
• SUNDAY NIGHT SOCIAL-Seen On The Scene – Free on Spotify, etc…
• BART BRYARS Country Clubbing Free on Spotify, etc…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bartbryars.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartbryars/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080789516960
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bartbryars
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/K4uceezQR1Q – Ballad Of Bart (documentary short)
• Soundcloud: Latest album from The Feels – https://on.soundcloud.com/Rvgg34h7tc4CcBzCA
• Other: Memoir (The Rabbit In Me) – https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0B11BQV8N/